RoadVitals

2011 Can-Am Spyder RS

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Dec 20, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 12, 2012
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Can-Am Spyder RS, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 13 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system350.0%
  • Engine233.3%
  • Steering116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Dec 12, 2012
33,700 units potentially affected
The defect: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Can-Am Spyder GS, RS, and RT series vehicles. The fuel cap may not fit onto the fuel tank filler neck, preventing it from sealing properly.
The risk: If the fuel cap does not seal properly, it may leak fuel vapors. Fuel vapors in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire and personal injury.
The remedy: BRP will notify owners and send them a replacement fuel cap, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in mid-January 2013. Owners may contact BRP AT 1-888-638-5397.
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Dec 20, 2022

THE DEALER TOLD ME IT IS MY "DYNAMIC POWER STEERING UNIT" I HAD A LIGHT COME ON TELLING ME TO CHECK MY DPS!! I FIRST MENTION THIS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY WHICH THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM!! THERE WAS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN JULY 2009!!

NHTSA ID
11498186
Incident
Nov 15, 2022
Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2015

I HAD AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK FROM THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WHICH LEAKED ANTIFREEZE ALL OVER THE GROUND AND ONTO THE TIRES. UPON GOOGLING THE ISSUE I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT OVERFLOW TANK LEAKING FROM THE BACKSIDE OF THE TANK, SO COMMON THAT BRP (CAN-AM) MADE A NEW VERSION OF THE COOLANT OVERFLOW TANK THAT IS REINFORCED IN THAT AREA TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. UPON CONTACTING BRP (CAN-AM) THEY STATED THEY WERE NOT ISSUING A RECALL ON THIS ITEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE IT FROM A DEALER. I BELIEVE DO TO THEM KNOWING ABOUT THE ISSUE, MAKING A REPLACEMENT TANK TO SOLVE THE ISSUE, THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER SOME TYPE OF RECALL DO TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF IT AND THAT IT LEAKS ANTIFREEZE ONTO THE GROUND WHICH THEN CAN CAUSE THE TIRES TO LOSE TRACTION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISSUE IS ON SEVERAL WEBSITES AND FORUMS WHEN YOU DO A SEARCH.

NHTSA ID
10747784
Incident
Aug 7, 2015
Mileage
6,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 20, 2014

I WENT OUT FOR A SHORT RIDE BECAUSE I HADN'T BEEN ON MY BIKE IN A WHILE DUE TO THE HEAT THAT WE NORMALLY EXPERIENCE AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR AND I WANTED TO TRY OUT A NEW HELMET I HAD PURCHASED. WHEN I RETURNED, I PARKED MY BIKE IN THE GARAGE AS I NORMALLY DO. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS. I GOT OFF THE BIKE TO INVESTIGATE, AND AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE BIKE I COULD IMMEDIATELY HEAR WHAT SOUNDED LIKE BOILING. BY THIS TIME THE SMELL OF GAS WAS ALMOST OVERWHELMING. I PUSHED THE BIKE OUT OF THE GARAGE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE, AND LET IT COOL OUTSIDE, FOR FEAR OF A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL LEAK. AFTER IT COOLED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, I PUSHED IT BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT. THE NEXT DAY I WENT FOR ANOTHER SHORT RIDE AT ABOUT 10 AM FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. THE SITUATION REPEATED ITSELF EXACTLY AS IT HAPPENED BEFORE WITH THE BOILING SOUND AND OVERWHELMING SMELL OF FUEL, EXCEPT THAT I DIDN'T PARK IT IN THE GARAGE THIS TIME. I JUST GOT OFF OF IT AND LET IT COOL OUTSIDE ON THE DRIVEWAY. I HAVEN'T RIDDEN MY SPYDER SINCE THEN. I BELONG TO A FORUM CALLED SPYDERLOVERS.COM AND I DID A SEARCH TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE HAD EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM AND WHAT I COULD DO ABOUT IT.. THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THAT MANY PEOPLE, OTHER THAN MYSELF, ALSO HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE, SOME RESULTING IN ACTUAL FIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626832
Incident
Jul 28, 2014
Mileage
2,211 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 29, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CAN-AM SPYDER MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE OVERFLOW TANK. THE CONTACT HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE TANK TWICE BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,500.

NHTSA ID
10495107
Incident
Nov 6, 2012
Mileage
13,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 25, 2011

MY LAST RIDE, AS IN PREVIOUS RIDES, WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ODOR OF RAW FUEL. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE MID 50'S. TYPICAL CITY TRAFFIC BUT NO LONG PERIODS OF STANDING STILL. ENGINE TEMPERATURE NORMAL. VOLUME OF FUEL IN THE TANK DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. PARKED THE SPYDER AND, AS IN THE PAST, OBSERVED VAPORS EMITTING FROM THE VENT HOSE UNDER THE FRAME WITH AN OCCASIONAL DROP OF FUEL. REMOVED THE FUEL CAP, FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND OBSERVED THE SOUND OF BOILING LIQUID. WITHOUT ANY DETAIL GIVEN I ASKED MY PASSENGER TO DO LIKEWISE WHICH RESULTED IN AN IDENTICAL OBSERVATION. VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE, PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE ENCLOSED NATURE OF THE VEHICLE, TO PREVENT HEAT RADIATED FROM THE EXHAUST, IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE FUEL TANK, FROM HEATING THE TANK SUFFICIENTLY TO CAUSE THE FUEL TO BOIL. THIS, IN MY OPINION, IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10441182
Incident
Dec 24, 2011

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

REV87480

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Air scoop retrofit kits.

TST-219-800

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

BRP MC: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, WHEN RIDING. THE WINDSHIELD WILL DROP AND A HIGH WINDSHIELD REFURBISH KIT IS NOW AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *PE

D109338

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Trailer module may fail.

POSTING 12-20

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

POSTING DISCUSSING THE TWO RECALLS POSTED ON TRANSPORT CANADA AND NHTSA CONCERNING THE FUEL VAPOR CANISTER VENT HOSE TO BE REPLACE OR RE-ROUTE AND FUEL CAP REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE FUEL CAP MAY NOT FIT ONTO THE FUEL TANK FILTER NECK.

Article 10-25

ENGINE

Technical Service Tip (TST) addressing that on some SE5 engines a high pitched or whining noise may be heard under specific RPM only. After investigation the cause of this noise is from a thrust washer vibrating and spinning in the HCM. Inspection of the HCM housing for wear is proposed; it may need to be replaced.

Article Radio 10

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

If a customer wants to change the radio pre-set channel number and is unable to do so, here is the reason this is happening.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Can-Am Spyder RS by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016100
2015000
2014100
2013400
2012610
2011Viewing510
2010830
2009131047.0
2008370042.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.